Patron Saint question.

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The_Reginator

The_Reginator

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What is really meant by ‘patron saint’ when applied to an individual?

A number of years ago I was praying with some friends and at one point they asked if I had a patron saint I wanted to address.
I had never thought about this before.
If one has a patron saint is it a saint you were named after?
Can one simply pick a patron saint? (I did that a while back – I picked St. Joseph as I am a worker and a father.)
I’m a convert and had never heard of patron saints except for countries and professions.
 
What is really meant by ‘patron saint’ when applied to an individual?
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A number of years ago I was praying with some friends and at one point they asked if I had a patron saint I wanted to address.
I had never thought about this before.
If one has a patron saint is it a saint you were named after?
Can one simply pick a patron saint? (I did that a while back – I picked St. Joseph as I am a worker and a father.)
I’m a convert and had never heard of patron saints except for countries and professions.
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You pretty much have summed up individual Patronage with your own experience listed above. You do not have to pick a Patron Saint who matches your already-given name. In fact, most folks ADD a Patron Saint’s name to their own name at the time of confirmation/conversion.

F’r’instance, I added the name “Augustine” when I converted. However, later in my life, I found a close prayer affinity with Saint Maria Goretti, then Saint Therese Liseux–they, too, are now my Patrons. I don’t think Saint Augustine minds–hey, the more the merrier!👍

In Christ & Mother Mary–Randy
 
Thanks, Randy!

Your post gives me pause to reflect:
…later in my life, I found a close prayer affinity with Saint Maria Goretti, then Saint Therese Liseux–they, too, are now my Patrons.
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“A close prayer affinity.” Would you mind expanding on this just a little? Such as, was it from studying their lives or something?

Merry Christmas, Reg.
 
I kind of have a “team” of saints that I pray to and I know are looking out for me. My top 3 are St. Faustina (my Confirmation name), St. Joan of Arc (my name in this website, Jeanne) and St. Theresa the Little Flower. I pray to these saints often, and I accept them as my patrons. They each have a particular charism that I want in my life: Joan (strength), Faustina (faith), and Therese (humility).

It’s ok to have many patrons. Read and learn about the saints. I promise you will be inspired by someone, and you will want to live your life like them. If you feel that way, pray to them. And get to know them. Saints are like heavenly friends. They look out for you, pray for you, and form relationships with you.

-Jeanne
 
I ditto what others have already said about how they deepen their love of Christ through relationships with His Saints.

Santa Maria Goretti rescued me! My relationship with her began as a last-ditch effort of utter dependence. I had tried everything else to remedy the problem I was facing; her life, her story, her simplicity, HER FAITH–all led me to radically depend on Christ in a way that 40 years of faith life had not availed me of.

I have been in dependence on Christ through her prayers ever since. She has led me to other Saints who, in turn, have deepened my love for Jesus Christ–Saint Faustina Kowalska, Saint Therese Liseux, Saint Louis de Montfort, and Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, to name a few.

I hope this answers your question, Reginator.

May God bless you on this Feast of Saint Thomas á Beckett! bit.ly/ThomBec
 
Hey!

Thank you so much for posting this thread, and thank you to all of those who have replied to this thread. Your questions and answers were all very helpful. I myself have a question about patron Saints.

(I’ll give a little background information. I’ve had many people in my life fill my head with misconceptions about Catholicism, especially about the Saints; and no, I obviously was not raised Catholic. I am, however, interested in joining the church. With that, I leave you all with my question. . )

How do I know which patron Saint is right for me? According to the sources I have found here on the web, there are many patron Saints of certain things. Let’s say we’re talking about academia and education. Many Saints are usually listed as patrons for this–St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine, for example.

How in the world do I decide who is better for me?

I don’t know. I can’t help but wonder if I am looking about this all wrong. In any case, any answer one could give me would be most appreciated.

Thank you!
 
lareinatortura said:
Hey!

Thank you so much for posting this thread, and thank you to all of those who have replied to this thread. Your questions and answers were all very helpful. I myself have a question about patron Saints.

(I’ll give a little background information. I’ve had many people in my life fill my head with misconceptions about Catholicism, especially about the Saints; and no, I obviously was not raised Catholic. I am, however, interested in joining the church. With that, I leave you all with my question. . )

How do I know which patron Saint is right for me? According to the sources I have found here on the web, there are many patron Saints of certain things. Let’s say we’re talking about academia and education. Many Saints are usually listed as patrons for this–St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine, for example.

How in the world do I decide who is better for me?

I don’t know. I can’t help but wonder if I am looking about this all wrong. In any case, any answer one could give me would be most appreciated.

Thank you!
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I have done a lot of reading about various saints. Perhaps if you post some of your interests or concerns I, or someone, could point you in the right direction.

God bless
 
Hey Highwayhound,

Well, I can tell you that I am a married college student with Military affiliation. Chief concerns for me are: my spouse’s health and safety, the health of our elderly parents, fidelity in our marriage, and my studies. As far as my interests, I am deeply interested in the sciences and Philosophy, and I hope to become a doctor. I am also a writer.

Something I don’t think about quite as often in my spiritual life is my mental state. I am afflicted with a psychological disorder. These days, I am dealing with it so much better than I was in the past; but, it still takes its toll on me.

Does that help at all?

:o
 
laureninatortura,

Attend Mass daily–it’s a great way to learn about the major feasts and Saints. Pray the Rosary–it’s a Christ-Centered prayer, and focusing on Christ cannot help but make you reflect on all the little Christs in the history of the Church–the Saints.

Listen. Listen when you pray. Look at statues. Haunt Catholic bookstores. One day, you will see, hear, encounter a Saint or a Saint’s story that calls out to you, just like when you fell in love or made a new best friend.

It’s like finding someone else in the universe who looks at the world the way you do–just when you despaired that any such person could’ve existed.

I will lift you up in the Divine Mercy Chaplet I say today, that you might find a Saint who brings Christ ever closer to you.

In Christ & Mother Mary–Randy
 
I’m trying to choose a saint for Confirmation - I’m probably obsessing over it. :rolleyes: I keep changing my mind, thinking I’ve decided and then finding another saint and saying, “ooh, maybe that one!” I like all of them! One of my favorite saints is St Thomas Aquinas and he was instrumental in my conversion, too. But I would like to find a female saint for Confirmation.

I’ve changed my mind so many times that I’m starting to think I might not decide until the night before Easter vigil … I’m probably over-thinking it.
 
Thank you people!

I realize more than ever that I am missing out on part of the communion of the Saints. At Mass I am aware of the fact that the priest is celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass with the congregation and the saints.
But in my personal life I pay scant attention to saints. I do, however, follow the daily readings and prayers in the Marian Missal which helps.
The saints and my guardian angel – I have to remember them more fully. This is especially true when under temptation. I cannot quote bible passages but I do know that we are surrounded by a ‘cloud of witnesses’.
All our sins and all the good we do is always seen by God and his saints and his angels. We’re never alone! 🙂
 
Student09 said:
I’m trying to choose a saint for Confirmation - I’m probably obsessing over it. :rolleyes: I keep changing my mind, thinking I’ve decided and then finding another saint and saying, “ooh, maybe that one!” I like all of them! One of my favorite saints is St Thomas Aquinas and he was instrumental in my conversion, too. But I would like to find a female saint for Confirmation.

I’ve changed my mind so many times that I’m starting to think I might not decide until the night before Easter vigil … I’m probably over-thinking it.
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Well my dear student, remember this advice – it may simplify your thinking. (?)
jeanne71350 said:
I kind of have a “team” of saints that I pray to and I know are looking out for me. My top 3 are St. Faustina (my Confirmation name), St. Joan of Arc (my name in this website, Jeanne) and St. Theresa the Little Flower. I pray to these saints often, and I accept them as my patrons. They each have a particular charism that I want in my life: Joan (strength), Faustina (faith), and Therese (humility).

It’s ok to have many patrons.

-Jeanne
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Find a saint to pray to for help in this decision. 😃
 
lareinatortura said:
Hey!

Thank you so much for posting this thread, and thank you to all of those who have replied to this thread. Your questions and answers were all very helpful. I myself have a question about patron Saints.

(I’ll give a little background information. I’ve had many people in my life fill my head with misconceptions about Catholicism, especially about the Saints; and no, I obviously was not raised Catholic. I am, however, interested in joining the church. With that, I leave you all with my question. . )

How do I know which patron Saint is right for me? According to the sources I have found here on the web, there are many patron Saints of certain things. Let’s say we’re talking about academia and education. Many Saints are usually listed as patrons for this–St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine, for example.

How in the world do I decide who is better for me?

I don’t know. I can’t help but wonder if I am looking about this all wrong. In any case, any answer one could give me would be most appreciated.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
If you are thinking of becoming Catholic, then perhaps a patron saint will “find” you in time. I never paid much attention to mine till about 7 years ago. I took the name Nicholas at my confirmation, when I was 13, and didn’t do much or think much about it all at the time. However, as my faith, and understanding of my faith has grown, so has my research into the early Christians, and the later ones, so to speak. In time you will understand where you are on your walk, and perhaps you will continue to read up on some of saints during that time. If that is the case, I have no doubt, with your interest, that you will aquire quite a few that stick out to you. That you identify with, and that mean something to you personally. I know that I have many I identify with. Perhaps some of the saints that you will identify with now, are ones that had a conversion? Just a thought, as you seem to be on the threshold of one yourself. 🙂 Good luck out there my friend. I will pray for you always, as I hope you do for me.
 
lareinatortura said:
Hey Highwayhound,

Well, I can tell you that I am a married college student with Military affiliation. Chief concerns for me are: my spouse’s health and safety, the health of our elderly parents, fidelity in our marriage, and my studies. As far as my interests, I am deeply interested in the sciences and Philosophy, and I hope to become a doctor. I am also a writer.

Something I don’t think about quite as often in my spiritual life is my mental state. I am afflicted with a psychological disorder. These days, I am dealing with it so much better than I was in the past; but, it still takes its toll on me.

Does that help at all?

:o
Click to expand...
Lareinatortura,

St. Luke was of course a doctor.
catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=76

St. Frances de Sales wrote books and pamphlets. He is the patron saint of writers.
americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1270

St. Dymphna is one you might consider.
natlshrinestdymphna.org/history.php

Oooo! Perhaps St. Damien would be of interest to you. He was canonized just this past October. If you do not know his story watch the movie titled Molokai.

This website will give a good overview of the saint.
allformary.org/AmericanSaints/leper.htm

So, those are a few saints to consider. Let us know what you think of the saints that you check into. Their lives are inspiring!

God bless
 
Student09 said:
I’m trying to choose a saint for Confirmation - I’m probably obsessing over it. :rolleyes: I keep changing my mind, thinking I’ve decided and then finding another saint and saying, “ooh, maybe that one!” I like all of them! One of my favorite saints is St Thomas Aquinas and he was instrumental in my conversion, too. But I would like to find a female saint for Confirmation.

I’ve changed my mind so many times that I’m starting to think I might not decide until the night before Easter vigil … I’m probably over-thinking it.
Click to expand...
I strongly believe that you don’t pick the saint. The saint chooses you.

Therese the Little Flower is my best girlfriend in heaven. I first learned about her my first year of high school, she was the patron of our band. Everyone was crazy about her. I thought she was a really amazing woman, but that was the end of it. I didn’t pray to her except when we did with the band. I kind of shoved her aside. I rediscovered her when I was not thinking about her. I was having some anxiety and mental problems. I was scared, crying, and afraid. I was flipping through my agenda at school, and this quote came up:
“Be not Afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him. This is way the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk.” --St Therese of Liseaux
I carried it with me, and I prayed and prayed. And things were ok. I later read her book, Story of a Soul, and cried. She is so beautiful. We have so much in common, and we went through similar things. She always answers my prayers. Therese looks out for me from heaven, and she is always there for me. She is my heavenly girlfriend. I can’t wait to meet her.

So, remember: the saint picks you. I would have never guessed Therese would have been this dear to me. She was who I least expected it. Pray for guidance.

-Jeanne
 
randybeeler said:
laureninatortura,

Attend Mass daily–it’s a great way to learn about the major feasts and Saints. Pray the Rosary–it’s a Christ-Centered prayer, and focusing on Christ cannot help but make you reflect on all the little Christs in the history of the Church–the Saints.

Listen. Listen when you pray. Look at statues. Haunt Catholic bookstores. One day, you will see, hear, encounter a Saint or a Saint’s story that calls out to you, just like when you fell in love or made a new best friend.

It’s like finding someone else in the universe who looks at the world the way you do–just when you despaired that any such person could’ve existed.

I will lift you up in the Divine Mercy Chaplet I say today, that you might find a Saint who brings Christ ever closer to you.

In Christ & Mother Mary–Randy
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Randy. It is greatly appreciated. I must say that I am eager to learn more about the Catholic faith. Again, thank you for your kind words.
 
Highwayhound said:
Lareinatortura,

St. Luke was of course a doctor.
catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=76

St. Frances de Sales wrote books and pamphlets. He is the patron saint of writers.
americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1270

St. Dymphna is one you might consider.
natlshrinestdymphna.org/history.php

Oooo! Perhaps St. Damien would be of interest to you. He was canonized just this past October. If you do not know his story watch the movie titled Molokai.

This website will give a good overview of the saint.
allformary.org/AmericanSaints/leper.htm

So, those are a few saints to consider. Let us know what you think of the saints that you check into. Their lives are inspiring!

God bless
Click to expand...
Why, thank you Highwayhound!

I will definitely take a look at those links; and yes, I will let you know which Saints I am checking into.

Thanks again!
 
lareinatortura said:
Why, thank you Highwayhound!

I will definitely take a look at those links; and yes, I will let you know which Saints I am checking into.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Okay then, I will check back to this thread in the future to see your progress.
 
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